Costco has released a statement in response to a video of veal calves in individual crates on an Ohio farm, made by a group called Mercy for Animals and teed up as cruel and inhumane treatment of the animals. The video singled out Costco and Giant Eagle as carrying the farm’s branded products.

In the release, Costco CEO Jim Sinegal said – the company had not been aware of the issue before we saw the video. We are extremely disappointed, not only with the performance of our supplier in this instance, but with our own performance as well.

In fact, according to a report in The Daily Record in Wooster, Ohio, officials at Buckeye Veal Farm said Monday that it already had phased out most of the individual crate housing shown in the video in favor of group housing, and was continuing the process with the animals that remained in crates.
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“Pork Board to Consider 2011 Budget”

Consumer perspectives of pork and pork production are the central focus of the National Pork Board’s proposed 46-million dollar budget for 2011. More than 50 pork producers will gather in Des Moines, Iowa, next week to help guide the investment of Pork Checkoff dollars into consumer information, research, and producer education programs. In addition, two task forces will present recommendations to the Board on enhancing producer input into the Board’s programming decisions and strengthening state pork producer organizations.

Among the budget requests are major proposals to create new excitement for pork in the consumer marketplace and to help consumers better understand and appreciate modern agriculture. Additional proposals advance the work of the pork industry’s We Care initiative and fund research that can address significant social, economic, and production concerns facing the pork industry.

The objectives of the budget proposal falls under one of three major goals: 1/ Refresh and reposition pork’s image to increase domestic and international consumer demand. 2/ Protect the rights and ability of U.S. farmers to produce pork in a socially-responsible and cost-competitive manner. And, 3/ Pursue strategies to enable U.S. pork producers to remain highly competitive, long term, on a global basis.
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“FTA Costing Farmers in Exports”

U.S. Grains Council director in Latin America Kurt Shultz traveled to Colombia last week where he found that a lack of progress on the U.S.-Colombia Free-Trade Agreement is continuing to have a devastating impact on U.S. corn, soybean and wheat producers. As an example, Colombia traditionally purchases approximately 3-million metric tons of yellow corn annually. However, since 2009, Colombia has been gradually switching its corn imports to South American origins at the expense of U.S. producers.

The United States, which has had an FTA agreement negotiated since 2006, has been unable to get the agreement before the U.S. Congress for a vote. As a result of this inaction, Shultz says – the Argentinean market share for corn has increased from 3 percent in 2007, to 67 percent through June 2010.  The U.S. market share, previously 96 percent in 2007, now stands at only 22 percent. In the first six months of 2010, Argentinean corn exports to Colombia have soared to 201-million dollars, while U.S. exports have dwindled to 67.6-million.

Shultz, says – the U.S. government needs to ratify this already signed FTA before it’s too late. Once these competitors’ trade patterns and relationships are established, U.S. market penetration will be significantly damaged and it could result in continued erosion of the U.S. market share in neighboring countries, such as the Dominican Republic which has imported 80-thousand metric tons of South American corn.
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“Dollars Released for Genetic Breeding Programs”

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Energy Secretary Steven Chu have announced research awards under a joint DOE-USDA program aimed at improving and accelerating genetic breeding programs to create plants better suited for bioenergy production. The 8.9-million dollars in grants will focus on fundamental investigations of biomass genomics, with the aim of harnessing lignocellulosic materials–i.e., nonfood plant fiber–for biofuels production. Emphasis is on perennials, including trees and other nonfood plants that can be used as dedicated biofuel crops.

According to a news release, the two departments noted – since such crops tend to require less intensive production practices and can grow on somewhat poorer quality land than food crops, they will be a critical element in a strategy of sustainable biofuels production that avoids competition with crops grown for food. The release continued – combining DOE’s leadership in genome-scale technologies with USDA’s long experience in crop improvement will help accelerate development of such specialized crops and improve their effectiveness as feedstocks for biofuels production.

New projects to be funded this year aim at enhancing productivity, yield, nutrient and water utilization, and sustainability of plant feedstocks. Research focuses on better understanding of basic plant processes that control cell wall composition, plant architecture, cell size and division, wood formation, nutrient uptake, carbon allocation and on the impact of temperature and water availability.
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“Conservation Loan Funds Available”

USDA has launched a Conservation Loan program that will provide farm owners and farm-related business operators’ access to credit to implement conservation techniques that will conserve natural resources. Direct Conservation Loans can be obtained through local Farm Service Agency offices with loan limits up to 300-thousand dollars.  Guaranteed CLs up to $1,112,000 are available from lenders working with FSA.

CL funds can be used to implement conservation practices approved by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, such as the installation of conservation structures; establishment of forest cover; installation of water conservation measures; establishment or improvement of permanent pastures; implementation of manure management; and the adaptation of other emerging or existing conservation practices, techniques or technologies.

In making the announcement, Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack said – this will give farmers who want to implement conservation measures on their lands a chance to do so by providing assistance with their up-front costs. In return, these producers will help to reduce soil erosion, improve water quality and promote sustainable and organic agricultural practices.
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“R-CALF USA Issues Follow-up Letter”

In an open letter to members of the U.S. cattle industry and Rural America, R-CALF USA President/Region VI Direct Max Thornsberry, and R-CALF USA CEO Bill Bullard said – thank you to all who expended your own funds and who took time from your cattle operations and other businesses to participate in the historic August 27 joint competition workshop held in Fort Collins, Colorado. The R-CALF USA leaders called the meeting – the largest turnout of cattle producers at a public meeting in memory, if not in all of history.

They said it really does boil down to this: Do we want the cattle industry to stay its present course or do we want to break away from the packers’ dominance and strike off in a new direction? The first real opportunity to strike off in a new direction is the proposed rule issued by the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration. Those who support the status quo understand this and are doing everything possible to kill the proposed GIPSA rule.

R-CALF USA says – the proposed GIPSA rule will preserve what remains of our cash market and none too soon, for our cash cattle market is shrinking fast, following the very same path previously followed by the hog industry.

In preparing for a September 14th hearing on food safety, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce has requested documents from both USDA and FDA and the DeCoster family, owners of the two egg farms involved in the recent egg recall. The committee wants to see from the DeCosters inspection records, including – all documents relating to any allegation of violation of any health, safety, environmental or animal cruelty laws.

The hearing could add pressure on the U.S. Senate to pass the stalled FDA Food Safety Modernization Act. S.510 has already passed the Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions Committee.  A companion bill passed the House last summer.
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“USDA Takes Steps to Authorize RR Sugarbeets”

A recent court ruling returned genetically engineered sugar beets to regulated status, but the ruling does not apply to genetically engineered sugar beet root and seed crops that were planted by August 13, 2010. The genetically engineered sugar beet root crop that has already been planted may be processed and sold as sugar.

In response, Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack says – USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service must chart a course for compliance with its statutory authorities and environmental statutes while USDA works to create the environment where all types of producers can and do produce all types of crops.

APHIS is taking the following steps: APHIS is issuing permits to sugar beet seed producers to authorize “steckling” or seedlings production this fall under strict permit conditions. In the meantime, APHIS is evaluating a request for a partial deregulation of Roundup Ready sugar beets. In connection with this evaluation, APHIS is developing an appropriate environmental analysis to inform its decision making regarding this request to authorize future seed and root crop plantings under a combination of permits, administrative orders, or other regulatory measures.
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“Change Possible After November Voting”

Senate Ag Committee members Chuck Grassley of Iowa and John Thune of South Dakota appear to be solid favorites to win re-election this November.  But, other Senators in Washington may not be so fortunate, including Senate Ag Committee Chair Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas. The Democrat continues to trail her Republican challenger. Those watching the races closely say a dozen seats in the Senate could go either way.

Over in the House as many as 45 seats could go to Republicans.  The GOP needs to pick up 39 seats to become the majority in the House. 14 Democratic members of the House Ag Committee are fighting to keep their political heads above water.  Those in trouble include Earl Pomeroy of North Dakota, Stephanie Herseth Sandlin of South Dakota, Jim Marshall of Georgia and Steve Kagan of Wisconsin.

So, who will be left to write the 2012 farm bill?  Most likely there will be new faces providing input to the process and most of the new faces are expected to be Republicans. Bottom line – analysts believe Republicans will take control of the House and Democrats could lose control of the U.S. Senate.
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“R-CALF CEO Defends Invitation”

R-CALF USA is defending its right to issue what it calls – an open invitation – to U.S. livestock producers and rural Americans to participate in the recent Livestock Marketing Workshop held by USDA and the Department of Justice at Colorado State University. R-CALF USA CEO Bill Bullard says the invitation was an effort to – encourage public participation in the government’s decision-making process. He says the open invitation – could not be construed as an effort to limit any segment of the livestock industry from participating in the event.

Senators Pat Roberts, Saxby Chambliss, Mike Johanns, Sam Brownback, and Tom Coburn, wrote to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack regarding what they called – questionable behavior leading up to a USDA competition workshop. The Senators cited media accounts regarding a USDA employee who allegedly passed along a message from an interest group soliciting attendance for the joint workshop.

Bullard said he would expect the dominant meatpackers and their allied trade associations – all of which are vehemently opposed to the proposed GIPSA Rule – to exploit the government employee’s decision in order to further their own self-interests, but, he said, such an action is unbecoming of Congress. He called the Senator’s letter – a shameful display of authoritative abuse.
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“Call Issued for New Pathogen Testing Regulations”

Connecticut Representative Rosa DeLauro is turning up the pressure on USDA for stronger regulation of non-0157 pathogens. Delauro’s move comes following Cargill’s weekend recall of 85-hundred pounds of ground beef over concerns about a connection between E.coli 026 and three illnesses in two states. This was the first recall directly relating a beef product to illnesses traced to a non-0157:H7 pathogen

In a statement, the chairwoman of the House FDA and Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee, said – it is time for USDA to acknowledge the scientific evidence and classify all toxin-producing E. coli strains as an adulterant that should be made subject to testing. She said – this would close a significant gap in our food safety system and help minimize additional foodborne illnesses.

Bill Marler, a Seattle-based food safety attorney and advocate says – USDA and the beef industry know well that there are at least six additional strains of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli: O45, O111, O121, O145, O103 and O26 that are highly dangerous to humans and should not exist in food. Experts have said only about 10 percent of laboratories in the U.S. are currently capable of testing for non-O157 pathogens.
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“Poultry Research Findings Reported”

The U.S. Poultry & Egg Association has released the results of two research projects that widen the knowledge base of poultry and egg production. In one research project, scientists in the Department of Poultry Science at North Carolina State University examined the effect of single stage and multi-stage incubation on broiler performance, the effect of increased CO2 levels in single stage incubation, and the reduction of ventilation levels in multi-staged incubation systems.

The study found that single stage incubation, when compared to multi-stage incubation, gave the most significant and consistent results in improving broiler performance. Although improvement in hatchability was not consistent, improvements were observed in chick quality, body weight, feed conversion, and leg health issues. As for a reduction of ventilation rates in multi-stage incubation and 6-8 day injection of CO2 in single stage incubation, researchers say inconsistent results were regarded to be non-significant between the two incubation systems.

In other research, at the Center of Excellence for Poultry Science at the University of Arkansas, scientists studied the effects of light stimulation on male broiler breeders following sexual maturity. Results suggest that light stimulation as early as 18 weeks of age did not have negative effects on reproduction and could lower feed cost as opposed to current light stimulation treatments that start at 21 weeks.
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“Turning Up Heat on Corn-Based Plastics”

Your favorite catsup or fruit juice might be “hot-filled” at the food-processing plant—that is, poured into its waiting container while the catsup or juice is still hot from pasteurization. Current containers made from corn-based plastics literally can’t take the heat of hot-filling. But, Agricultural Research Service scientists may have found an answer to this problem.

According to USDA chemist William Orts and a team of collaborators from Lapol, LLC, of Santa Barbara, California, corn-based plastics are made by fermenting corn sugar to produce lactic acid. The lactic acid is used to form polylactic acid, or PLA, a bioplastic. The research team is developing a product known as a heat-deflection temperature modifier that would be blended with PLA to make it more heat-tolerant.

The modifier is more than 90 percent corn-based and is fully biodegradable. By boosting the bioplastics’ heat tolerance, the collaboration—under way since 2007—may broaden the range of applications for which corn-derived plastics could be used as an alternative to petroleum-based plastics.
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“Pioneer Expanding IMPACT Program”

Pioneer Hi-Bred announces it plans to expand the number of experimental products it can test next year by expanding by 50 percent its IMPACT, or Intensively Managed Product Advancement, Characterization and Training trials. This means a significant increase in investment in local research and development, helping to maximize grower productivity and profitability. These plots provide local testing of multiple products at the last stage before they are advanced for sale to growers.

This expansion marks a unique cooperative effort between Pioneer’s research efforts and its sales organization, linking product development and advancement with the company’s “Right Product, Right Acre” strategy to help producers get the best results from each acre.

John Soper, vice president – Pioneer Crop Genetics Research & Development, says – data from IMPACT trials help us understand which products offer the best performance in certain environments, allowing us to more readily target specific customer needs. The IMPACT program represents a multimillion dollar investment by Pioneer in resources, equipment and trial seed production.
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“CCC Rates Announced for September”

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Commodity Credit Corporation has announced interest rates for September of 2010. The CCC borrowing rate-based charge is unchanged from August at 0.25 percent. The rate for 1996 and subsequent crop year commodity and marketing assistance loans is also unchanged at 1.25 percent.

The interest rate for farm storage facility loans approved for September are as follows –

for a seven-year loan term the September figure is 2.25 percent compared to last month’s 2.5 percent; for loans with 10-year terms, the interest rate is 2.875 percent, compared with 3.0 percent last month:  and the interest rate for 12-year loan terms for September is 3.125 percent, compared to last month’s rate of 3.375 percent.

The interest rate for Sugar Storage Facility Loans for September 2010 is down.  The 3.375 percent rate is a decrease from the 3.625 interest rate of last month.

The maximum discount rate applicable for September 2010 for the Tobacco Transition Payment Program is 5 percent, unchanged from August 2010. This is based on the 3.25 percent prime rate plus 2 percent, rounded to the nearest whole number.

According to the Economic Research Service of USDA, net farm income is forecast to be up 24 percent this year to 77.1 billion dollars.  That number is 12.3-billion above the average of 64.8-billion dollars in net farm income earned annually in the previous 10 years and is the fourth largest amount of income earned in U.S. farming. Cash receipts are expected to increase 6.5 percent, due mainly to higher livestock receipts.

Farm business equity, assets minus debt, is expected to rise by 3.5 percent, largely due to an expected 2.9-percent increase in the value of farm business real estate and a 4.2-percent decline in farm business debt. The farm business sector’s debt-to-asset ratio is expected to decline to 11.2 percent and debt-to-equity is expected to decline to 12.6 percent in 2010, indicating an improvement in the farm sector’s solvency.

Both farm and off-farm income are forecast to be up this year, pushing the average family farm household income up by 5.8 percent to 81,670-dollars. In 2010, the average family farm is forecast to receive 11.1 percent of its household income from farm sources, with the rest from earned and unearned off-farm income.
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“Vilsack Responds to ERS Reports”

In response to the Economic Research Service’s report on expected farm income this year, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack called the information – encouraging news.  He says – they show that while American agriculture has struggled through difficult economic times, the 2008 Farm Bill, the efforts of the Obama Administration – such as the Recovery Act – and the hard work and resilience of America’s farmers and ranchers have helped put American agriculture on the road to recovery.

The Secretary said – indicators point to a sustainable recovery sector-wide.  While an increase in the value of livestock production accounted for much of the upward movement, the value of dairy production rose by 26.2 percent; the value of meat animal production is up 14.6 percent, and the value of poultry and egg production rose 8.4 percent.  And commercial farms and intermediate farms are all expected to have higher average net cash income in 2010 than they did in either 2009 or 2008.

Mr. Vilsack credited the gains to the – successful implementation of the 2008 Farm Bill as well as the Obama Administration’s Recovery Act. Another factor driving this recovery is an increase in income from exports.  USDA is raising forecast for agricultural exports for Fiscal Year 2010 to 107.5 billion dollars – the second highest year on record.
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“Agriculture Helps Keep Unemployment Rates Low”

The “Business Insider” reports that every U.S. state experienced job losses during the recent downturn, but some states have a far lower unemployment rate than the 9.5 percent national average. Did you know that eight of the ten states with the lowest unemployment rates have one thing in common? It’s agriculture.

That’s right – the five states with the lowest unemployment rates are: North Dakota with 3.6 percent; South Dakota with a 4.4 percent rate; Nebraska with a 4.7 percent unemployment rate; New Hampshire with a 5.8 percent unemployment rate and Vermont has an unemployment rate of 6.0 percent. At number seven is Kansas with an unemployment rate of 6.5 percent; Wyoming is number 8 at 6.7 percent; Iowa is number ten with an unemployment rate of 6.8 percent.

For each state – Business Insider mentions the importance of agriculture to the lower than average unemployment rate.
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“Ethanol Production, Demand Set Highs”

According to data released by the Energy Information Administration, ethanol production reached an all-time high in June. At the same time the Renewable Fuels Association reports ethanol demand also set a new record for June.

EIA says ethanol production in June was just over 854-thousand barrels per day. That is an increase of 8-thousand barrels per day from May and it’s more than 160-thousand higher than June 2009. Based on the first six months of 2010, US ethanol production is running at 12.87 billion gallons on an annualized basis.

As calculated by the RFA, ethanol demand also reached an all-time high of 857-thousand barrels per day, up from 721-thousand figure set one year ago. RFA estimates there are 22 days of ethanol reserves in storage.
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“Organic Price Election Programs Announced”

USDA’s Agriculture Risk Management Agency will offer an organic price election for four crops during the 2011 production year. Those crops are cotton, corn, soybeans and processing tomatoes. RMA is also eliminating the current 5 percent surcharge for organic crops insured under ten crop insurance programs. Affected programs are Figs; Florida Citrus Fruit; Florida Fruit Tree; Macadamia Tree; Nursery; Pears; Peppers; Prunes; Texas Citrus Tree; Texas Citrus Fruit. The agency says it will continue to accumulate data that will allow for more precise rating of other organic crops.

Also, RMA released three reports that provide the framework for improvements to crop insurance programs that are available to producers of certified organic crops. The reports compile research into data that support a price election for organic crops. They also provide a comparative analysis of loss experience for organic crops and conventional crops produced in the same counties during the same crop years.

Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack points out – USDA is working to provide producers of organic crops with improved opportunities and resources. We are taking aggressive action, he says, to improve delivery of our programs, with impressive results for our customers.
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“Call Made for Continued Use of Antibiotics”

A public policy think tank, the Competitive Enterprise Institute, has submitted comments on an FDA proposal to limit the use of certain antibiotics in livestock, warning that a ban could unintentionally increase the threat of foodborne illness in the United States. The FDA draft guidance would prohibit the use of “medically important” antibiotics for growth promotion in food-producing animals such as cows, pigs, and chickens, and would require veterinary oversight for remaining uses.

Gregory Conko, CEI’s Director of Food and Drug Policy, says – whether you’re talking about human or animal use, banning beneficial uses today can have negative impacts on human and animal health just as surely as a lack of long-term drug efficacy can. Instead, according to Conko, – we need to balance the current benefits of antimicrobial use against the inevitable development of resistance, and this can include using antibiotics for livestock growth promotion purposes.

Antibiotics use in livestock has been criticized by the public health community due to concerns that it contributes to the development of antibiotic resistant bacteria. However, U.S. government studies indicate that livestock uses account for only about 10 percent of the problem with resistant bacteria and misuse in human patients is the leading cause of antibiotic resistance.
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“NCBA at Odds With Partnership”

The Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Fund and Food and Water Watch are joining forces to support the Department of Agriculture’s Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyard Administration’s proposed rule on livestock marketing. Representatives of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association are questioning the partnership between the animal rights and environmental activist groups.

NCBA President Steve Foglesong says well-funded activist groups, like Food and Water Watch, are working to obstruct the success of U.S. agriculture and its efforts to feed a growing global population. He said Food and Water Watch, a lobbyist group, – has a longstanding history of lobbying for stringed agricultural regulations that are devoid of science. Foglesong says – as a cattle producer, it is concerning that an organization in my industry is admittedly partnering with a group that spreads fiction as fact to 98 percent of the population removed from production agriculture.

Foglesong says – this industry can disagree – that’s how progress is achieved – but to blatantly misrepresent the hardworking men and women in this industry is something that we cannot take lightly.
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“Covert Veal Production Footage Released”

Mercy For Animals is out with what it is calling covert footage, taken at Buckeye Veal Farm in Apple Creek, Ohio.  MFA says its footage reveals baby calves chained inside 2-feet wide wooden stalls – so narrow they cannot turn around, walk, run, play, socialize with other animals, or engage in other basic natural behaviors. Mercy For Animals believes – in such tight confinement, the animals are unable to lie down comfortably, breathe fresh air, see sunlight, clean themselves or bond with their mothers.

After viewing the footage, Dr. Marc Bekoff, retired from the Ecology & Evolutionary Biology Department at the University of Colorado, said – frankly, the treatment of these calves is disgusting, horrific, and reprehensible. The American Veterinary Medical Association opposes chaining calves in restrictive crates and five U.S. states, as well as all 27 countries in the European Union, have outlawed their use.
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“September is National Rice Month”

September 2010 marks the 20th anniversary of National Rice Month, a time when Americans celebrate the important role rice plays in their lives. On average, Americans eat 26 pounds per year, but rice is also good for you. Low in calories and carbohydrates, and with no trans fats or saturated fats, enriched white rice and whole-grain brown rice can be an important part of a heart healthy diet.

Eighty-five percent of the rice consumed in the United States is grown by farmers in Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Texas, who produce more than 20 billion pounds of rice each year — half of which is exported to help feed people around the world.

The U.S. rice industry directly and indirectly employs thousands of Americans, both on- and off-the-farm, and rice contributes more than 17.5-billion dollars in value to our economy each year. It’s easy to see why rice is important for our physical and economic health and worthy of celebrating this September.
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“Rural Development Funds Released”

USDA Rural Development has announced 61 awards that will benefit 45 states, the Western Pacific region and the commonwealth of Puerto Rico as those areas seek to create economic and job opportunities in rural areas by ensuring that strategic investments are made in small towns and cities. The grants are made available under the Rural Business Enterprise Grant program.

In making the announcement, USDA Under Secretary Dallas Tonsager said – rural businesses drive community revitalization by providing products and services to local residents as well as throughout the country and world. Tonsager noted, – projects like these spur important economic development and strengthen communities across the nation.

For example, Kentucky Highlands Investment Corporation in Laurel, Kentucky will receive a 499-thousand dollar grant; and in Cass, Iowa, the Southwest Iowa Planning Council has been selected to receive a 95-thousand dollar grant. Both will establish a revolving loan fund to assist small and emerging private businesses.
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“Loans Benefit Electric Consumers”

37 rural utilities and cooperatives in 20 states have been selected to receive guaranteed loans that will benefit more than 60-thousand rural electric cooperative consumers. These loans will finance the construction and repair of almost 7-thousand miles of distribution and transmissions lines. The 1.2-billion dollars in funding is being awarded through USDA Rural Development’s Electric Program.

This program provides loans and guaranteed loans to electric utilities to upgrade, expand, maintain, and replace rural America’s electric infrastructure. The Electric Program also helps fund energy conservation and renewable energy system projects. Funding of each recipient is contingent upon their meeting the conditions of the guaranteed loan agreement.

A group of sorghum buyers from Eastern Asia and the Philippines are visiting the United States this week focusing on the value of sorghum as a feed for poultry and swine production. The group will visit a few traditional country elevators in South Texas before traveling to a sorghum farm near Palacios, Texas, to learn firsthand how sorghum is grown and processed in the United States. The tour group is hosted by the Sorghum Checkoff and the U.S. Grains Council.

After their tour in South Texas, the group will travel to Mexico where they will visit commercial feed mills and poultry production facilities. The goal of these visits is to allow the group to see how the Mexican swine and poultry industries utilize sorghum as a high quality feed.  Stewart Weaver, a sorghum producer from Edmondson, Arkansas, says many of these buyers have not used much sorghum. We want them to – see the value sorghum offers here in the U.S. and to other countries who use U.S. sorghum.

Joe Kelley, manager of Farmer’s Cooperative of El Campo Agricultural Export Center, says – we want these groups to know that we are very concerned with quality and providing them with the best value possible.
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“Student Biodiesel Initiative Begins”

The Next Generation Scientists for Biodiesel initiative is up and running with 28 founding members signing an on-line declaration of support for biodiesel. The campaign is modeled after the Scientists for Biodiesel campaign which was launched in February of 2009 and has 125 scientists who have signed the declaration. Both programs are backed by the National Biodiesel Board.

The student group was formed to demonstrate and grow support for biodiesel among tomorrow’s scientific leaders. Lucas Ellis, of Dartmouth, pursuing his Master of Science in Biochemical Engineering, is one of four co-chairs of the effort. Ellis says – in college there is an eagerness to become an advocate or have a cause, and mine was the environment, science and educating others about sustainability.  He says, – biodiesel combined all of those and became my passion.

Joe Jobe, CEO of NBB, says – cementing support among future energy thought leaders is important to biodiesel’s future. Jobe points out that – any student scientist can sign the declaration. They will then have opportunities to learn from each other, including a virtual conference scheduled for September 28. Other co-chairs are: Bernardo del Campo, Iowa State University; Mikkel Leslie, Oregon State University; and Jason Strull, University of Nevada.
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“Research Could Change Conservation Programs”

Cover crops–mostly rye, barley, and wheat–are a principal tool in Maryland for controlling nitrogen and phosphorus flows to the Chesapeake Bay. The crops catch excess nitrogen and phosphorus left over from fertilizers and manures used to grow corn, soybean or other summer crops. This year scientists are using an innovative remote sensing technologies program to aid the Chesapeake Bay cleanup in Talbot County, Maryland, on the Bay’s Eastern Shore.

Greg McCarty, a U.S. Department of Agriculture soil scientist, and Dean Hively, a visiting U.S. Geological Survey physical scientist, have merged remote sensing, field sampling, and farm program records to judge the effectiveness of winter cover crops in controlling farm nitrogen and phosphorus losses. A 4-year study shows that wheat is by far the least efficient at taking up nitrogen, due to its slow fall growth. Yet 60 percent of the land planted to cover crops is in winter wheat.

The scientists are developing software to summarize the data and help the Talbot County soil conservation district office to evaluate underperforming fields to plan for improved implementation in the coming year. This work could also lead to annual adjustments in federal and state conservation program implementation strategies. With success, the project will be scaled up to each of Maryland’s 24 soil conservation districts statewide.
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“Timing of Last Alfalfa Cutting Important”

Alfalfa growers should consider the timing of their last cutting to allow for enough regrowth to reduce the risk of winter injury. David Miller, Pioneer alfalfa research director says – cutting from September 10 to October 1 in most northern climates rarely allows the crop enough regrowth time. Miller explains – poor fall harvest timing can negatively affect stored root food reserves, which can lead to poor winter survival.

Generally, an alfalfa stand needs about six weeks of regrowth time after the last cutting to gain appropriate nutrients to avoid winterkill. During winter months and the following spring, alfalfa utilizes regrowth nutrients gathered by the roots. Depleting the energy source prior to dormancy will not allow the plant enough energy for adequate spring growth.

For growers who have yet to meet their feed requirement, Miller says – growers should wait until two consecutive days of a hard freeze – 24 to 26 degrees. According to the University of Wisconsin, the hardening process in preparation for cold weather begins when temperatures drop below 40 F. This process allows the plant to tolerate freezing temperatures for extended periods.
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“Consider Fertilizer and Weed Management Options”

Fall is a good time for alfalfa growers to review their fertilizer and weed management options. David Miller, Pioneer alfalfa research director, says potash levels are key to a good crop next year.  Miller says – an application in the fall or spring is fine. Typically, the best time is after the third or fourth cutting – depending on yield levels during summer months – to help maintain conditions for winter survival.

Also, the fall months are a good time for producers to work on weed management. Miller says – autumn is an optimal time to control perennial weeds. It’s smart to kill weeds before they establish. He says – the majority of the time, a great spring alfalfa stand is due to applying weed control measures in the fall or early spring while the alfalfa is still dormant.

An estimated crowd of about 13-hundred people attended the fourth of five USDA-DOJ workshops to explore the appropriate role for antitrust and regulatory enforcement in American agriculture. This event was held Friday at Ft. Collins, Colorado, on the campus of Colorado State University. This workshop, led by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, examined competition in the livestock industry and featured panel discussions on trends in the livestock industry, market consolidation and market transparency. The workshop also included opportunities for public comments.

In prepared remarks, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said – given the consolidation that has taken place in the livestock industry over the past decades, it is critical to ensure a fair market still exists to give all players an honest chance at success. The Secretary added, – a fair and competitive marketplace is important not only for producers, but also for consumers, and today’s open and transparent dialogue with ranchers, farmers, academics and other industry stakeholders will provide us with a understanding of the complex issues in this important industry.

Secretary Holder said – Ultimately, today’s conversation is about much more than simply last year’s trends or this year’s challenges. It’s about livelihoods, families, this region’s economy and our centuries-old American way of life. Holder said – we’ve made these workshops a cabinet-level priority so we can most effectively and efficiently determine how to ensure a fairer, more competitive marketplace for producers and consumers alike.
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“NFU Speaks Out at Workshop”

National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson, said – while the GIPSA proposed rule was a major point of contention, the focus of the workshop was on overall concentration in the livestock marketplace. Four companies control more than 81 percent of the total beef processing in the United States, allowing for non-competitive pricing to be forced upon producers.

In 1980, there were more than 666-thousand hog farms and 1.6 million cattle farms or ranches. Today, there are only about 71-thousand hog farms and 950-thousand cattle farms or ranches. In 1980, hog producers received half of the retail value of a hog but in 2009, they got less than one-quarter of the value. Similarly, in 1980, cattle producers received 62 percent of the retail value but in 2009 received only 42.5 percent.

Two NFU members, Iowa Farmers Union president Chris Peterson and Rocky Mountain Farmers Union member Armando Valdez served as panelists during the workshop.  Peterson and Valdez each highlighted the need for reform in the livestock industry, with an emphasis on the increasing consolidation and vertical integration in the livestock and poultry marketplace, resulting in a tougher environment for independent producers. Johnson said – it is vital to have speakers from groups that represent the family farmer, not just the packer-producer organizations.
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“NPPC-NCBA GIPSA Rule Media Briefing Held”

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and the National Pork Producers Council held a media briefing Thursday evening before the USDA-DOJ workshop. Organizers say pork and beef producers representing more than 20 states attended the meeting to voice their opposition to the GIPSA rule, expressing the negative effect it could have on their operations.

Robbie LeValley, president of the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association; a cattle producer; and a co-owner of Homestead Meats, a family owned company marketing beef locally, said – our innovation and our willingness to do direct marketing has basically now labeled us a packer and under the proposed rule, as I read it, now limits our marketing options – meaning not being able to sell to other packers. She added – while some say that is not the intent of the rule, the vagueness of the language makes it very possible.

NPPC President Sam Carney, a producer from Adair, Iowa, said – as written, the GIPSA rule would limit my ability to sell hogs. He called it a – solution in search of a problem. The markets work, and we don’t need the government trying to ‘fix’ it. According to Carney, – the GIPSA rule is overly broad and very vague. It would inject uncertainty into the market, stifle innovation and lead to less not more competition in the livestock industry.
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“Wheat Genome Code Cracked”

British scientists have decoded the genetic sequence of wheat. University of Liverpool scientist Neil Hall, whose team cracked the code, said the information could eventually help breeders of varieties of wheat better identify genetic variations responsible for disease resistance, drought tolerance and yield. Although the genetic sequence remains a rough draft, and additional strains of wheat need to be analyzed for the work to be useful, Hall predicted it wouldn’t take long for his work to make an impact in the field.

In response to this break-through, academia is excited. One academic in the field called the discovery “a landmark.” Nick Talbot, a professor of biosciences at the University of Exeter, who wasn’t involved in the research, says – the wheat genome is the holy grail of plant genomes. Talbot adds, – it’s going to really revolutionize how we breed it. Hopefully the benefit of this work will come through in the next five years.

Wheat is a relative latecomer to the world of genetic sequencing. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the date the human genome was laid bare. Other crops have had their genetic codes unscrambled within the past few years — rice in 2005, corn in 2009, and soybeans earlier this year. Hall explains, – the reason for the delay in analyzing wheat’s genetic code is that the code is massive — far larger than corn or rice and five times the length of the one carried by humans.
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“Knowing Wheat Genome Important”

A team led by University of Liverpool scientist Neal Hall used a process called pyrosequencing to help it break the genome of wheat. This technique involves extracting DNA, suspending it in fluid, breaking it apart with bursts of gas and using chemical reactions and a high-resolution camera to infer its makeup. The team worked with wheat lines such as the Chinese spring wheat, which has a tangled ancestry, tracing its descent from three different species of wild grass. It also carries six copies of the same gene – most creatures carry two.

The cracking of wheat’s code comes at a time when prices have shot up in the wake of crop failures in Russia, highlighting how the vagaries of world food production can hit import-dependent countries such as Egypt. Nick Talbot, the professor of biosciences at the University of Exeter, notes that rice cultivation had already benefited from the publication of its genetic code — and led to the development of vitamin-enriched and drought-resistant strains.
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“Temple Grandin Winner Off Screen”

HBO’s “Temple Grandin” swept the Emmys Sunday night, capturing some of the top awards including Best Picture, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, and Best Supporting Actor. But there is more to “Temple Grandin” than meets the TV screen. Temple Grandin is a member of the American Meat Institute, serving as lead instructor at AMI’s Animal Care & Handling Conference and is a past recipient of AMI’s Industry Advancement Award.

AMI President J. Patrick Boyle says – Temple Grandin has done remarkable things for our industry and for people with autism. She has transformed the way we handle livestock and measure welfare. She has been a gift to so many people including those in our industry. She is incredibly deserving of the accolades she is now receiving.
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“South Korea Official: No Concessions”

Has South Korea offered concessions to the United States to gain ratification of a free trade agreement between the two countries? Speaking to reporters in Seoul, Seok-young, South Korea’s deputy minister for trade said, – it is not true. We have not made any commitments to the United States.

Some American congressmen insist that South Korea ease trade restrictions on U.S. beef. The restrictions — age limits — were first imposed during the BSE outbreak. American legislators are also looking for better terms on auto trade.

President Obama is scheduled to travel to South Korea in November to participate in a G-20 summit meeting. The two governments will need to clear up any remaining difficulties on the trade pact by then if they hope to advance the FTA any time soon.
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“U.S. Corn Important to Saudia Arabia”

Saudi Arabia imports up to 2-million metric tons of corn per year. 39 percent is from the United States. Daniel Button of Almarai, based in Saudi Arabia, came to the United States recently to meet suppliers and purchase U.S. corn. Almarai is the largest integrated dairy foods company in the Middle East. While visiting Grace Harbor in Washington, Button tendered two shuttle trains of U.S. No. 1 corn and three shuttle trains of U.S. No. 2 corn.

Alvaro Cordero, USGC manager of international operations, accompanied Button on his visit.  Cordero explained – while Saudi Arabian customers don’t have a strong preference for any specific origin, they appreciate the United States’ ability to provide a stable supply of corn. He said U.S. corn is more consistant, better for flaking and less expensive in the process.

Almarai recently bought a large poultry integrator and is planning to expand production up to 3 million birds per week. The company was established in Saudi Arabia in 1976 as a partnership. Company representatives soon recognized the potential to transform traditional methods of dairy farming to better serve the needs of the Saudi Arabian market.
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“Feed Source of Egg Contamination”

Laboratory tests have confirmed that the two Iowa egg companies that have recalled over a half-billion eggs are contaminated with the same strain of salmonella blamed for a national outbreak of illness, which has sickened at least 1,500 people. The confirmation backs up suspicions by the Food and Drug Administration that tainted eggs from the two Iowa producers have caused the biggest case of Salmonella enteritidis disease that federal officials have seen since they began tracking the illness in the 1970s.

FDA investigators detected the particular strain of salmonella in two barns at Wright County Egg and in feed that the company made and gave to its own chickens. The agency also found that strain in feed that Wright supplied to Hillandale. Jeff Farrar, associate commissioner for food protection at FDA says – these are the very first results and there are many other results in the queue that may give us clues as to the extent of contamination.

According to Josh Sharfstein, deputy commissioner at FDA, – animal feed is generally heated to kill microbes, so it is possible that the feed became contaminated after it arrived at Wright County Egg.  Sharfstein said – the feed facility is at the same location of all these problems so there are multiple ways it may have become contaminated. In the meantime, Wright County Egg and Hillandale are selling their eggs to facilities that pasteurize them, a process that kills salmonella.
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“FAS Attempts to Sooth Moscow Jitters”

USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service’s Moscow office has delivered a letter to Russia providing information from the Food and Drug Administration on the recall of some 550 million eggs linked to nearly 15-hundred cases of salmonella poisoning in the United States. The letter was an attempt to calm Russia’s nerves over imports of U.S. poultry imports. FAS spokeswoman Katie Gorscak says, – the letter included assurances that U.S. broiler production is not involved in the recall.

Russian media reports say over the weekend, Russian authorities were expected to expand their list of U.S. poultry establishments eligible to export poultry to Russia. But, they weren’t happy with what they called a slow response from USDA not only on the egg recall but also their concerns about Tyson’s recent recall of 380-thousand pounds of deli products.
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“Bloomberg-Vilsack at Odds”

Bloomberg reports in its August 30 issue that the Obama administration is – redirecting who gets rural aid. The publication says – the government is shifting payments to broadband providers, land-conservation efforts and nutrition programs – and away from farmers and ranchers.  Bloomberg says – to many farmers, the changes seem designed to satisfy organic-food devotees, first lady Michelle Obama’s anti- obesity cause, weekend duck hunters, and small-town Internet users –everyone, that is, except traditional farmers.

Bloomberg continues –USDA in July trimmed 6-billion dollars in payments to crop insurers such as San Francisco-based Wells Fargo & Co. for the next decade. Now he’s looking at cuts of as much as 5-billion a year from an automatic payments program that compensates farmers even if they grow nothing.

USDA Press Secretary Justin DeJong, in a Friday release, said – in recent interviews with a Bloomberg reporter, at NO time did Secretary Vilsack call for 5-billion dollars in cuts to farm programs. In fact, he pointed out how USDA already saved 4-billion that was put toward deficit reduction by renegotiating our agreement with crop insurance companies. DeJong continued, since becoming Secretary of this department, Mr. Vilsack has – advocated fiercely about the need to keep American agriculture strong through farm safety net programs.
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“Fall Corn Scouting Necessary”

Late season corn diseases such as stalk rots, ear rots and foliar diseases such as Goss’s Wilt may be the next problems impacting this year’s corn crop. So, corn farmers will be wise to scout their fields for early signs of these problems. Pioneer research scientist Scott Heuchelin, says – the warm, humid weather has primed the pump for fungal diseases in the later part of this growing season.

When the crop reaches physical maturity, it stops actively growing and uses its energy reserves to fill the ear. During this time, root and crown infections, established earlier in the year during saturated soil conditions, can take off and aggressively infect the plant’s crown and stalk tissues. Heuchelin recommends – if top dieback is evident, test the stalk integrity by pinching the base of the stalk or pushing the plant to the side to assess lodging potential. Fields with significant lodging potential should be harvested first to preserve yield potential.

Bleaching out of the ear leaf or husk leaves could be a sign of ear rots. Agronomists and researchers often see ear rots show up in Indiana, Ohio, Illinois and Ontario. This season, additional regions that experienced significant precipitation and humidity may fall victim, too. Growers may want to harvest early and dry corn to 15 percent moisture or below to prevent further molding during storage.

Goss’s wilt, historically more localized in the Great Plains, but according to Heuchelin – it’s recently been reported in eastern Nebraska, the Dakotas, Manitoba, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana. It typically occurs as the result of hail events and storms. The Goss’s wilt bacterium can infect the leaves where they have been abraded. Fungicides will not help. Producers must manage the debris, which is the source of the inoculum, and work in rotation and tillage along with resistant genetics.
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“VP Touts Recovery Act Investments”

When Vice President Joe Biden last week, unveiled a new report on the successes of “The Recovery Act”, he pointed out that Recovery Act investments are paving the way for game-changing breakthroughs in transportation, energy and medical research. He said the Recovery Act’s 100-billion dollar investment is – not only transforming the economy and creating new jobs, but helping accelerate significant advances in science and technology.

At the same event, Energy Secretary Steven Chu said – thanks to investments made possible by the Recovery Act, we are unleashing the American innovation machine to change the way we use and produce energy in this country.

According to this new analysis, the U.S. is now on-track to achieve four major innovation breakthroughs thanks to Recovery Act investments. They are: doubling U.S. renewable energy generation capacity and U.S. renewable manufacturing capacity by 2012; cutting the cost of solar power in half by 2015; and cutting the cost of batteries for electric vehicles by 70 percent between 2009 and 2015.
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“New Colorado Lab Opened”

The state-of-the-art energy efficient, Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station was formally opened Friday by Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack, Colorado Governor Bill Ritter and Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell. The new lab will support critical research on climate change, air quality, forest ecosystem adaptation processes and water resources. 29 percent of the 5.3-million dollar price tag came from American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding.

Secretary Vilsack said – investments in research are critical in helping us enhance our understanding and management of watersheds and forests in the decades ahead. This research facility will enable scientists to conduct research on, and find solutions for, some of the toughest challenges facing America’s natural resource managers today.

Vilsack also highlighted the role the research at the new lab will play in revitalizing rural America. He pointed out that – work on carbon sequestration, water, wildlife habitats, and climate change will help quantify the value of our forested lands so we build ecosystem markets and provide rural landowners with new income opportunities.